While the number of straw craftsmen is drastically decreasing, Waramu is a group of craftsmen who have gained a reputation for their advanced technical skills and youthful spirit of challenge. They are also involved in the production of bales for grand sumo tournaments and shimenawa for the Kaguraden at Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara Prefecture.
Iijima Town in Inadani, Minami-Shinshu, Nagano Prefecture, overlooks the Southern Alps to the east and the Central Alps to the west. They produce straw products of the highest quality straw products by using six different types of straw, including rice straw made from a rare ancient rice called "Shirake Mochi," which is grown only in Inadani.
Bales, shimenawa, enza (round straw mat), and warakago, which keeps the ohitsu warm, are all traditional straw products. There are currently only a few craftsmen in Japan who can weave warakago with beautiful patterns, and two of them are active in Waramu.
The best straw work is made with the best straw. The "spirit" and "beauty" of the natural world are woven into the work, providing a sense of comfort and relaxation to modern life.
Everything from my two orders was perfect. The products are exactly as photographed and they are of high quality with excellent
craftsmanship which is everything I have grown to expect from Shokunin, and that is why I order from you.
I can only comment on the appearance of all the pieces I received because they are all gifts, but I know they will all be greatly appreciated.
I've had challenges with placing my last couple of orders (due to my technical issues), and the customer service response was fast and accurate.
Recently, I have ordered from three other companies in Japan and the packing was sloppy and the shipping was slow and delayed
compared to Shokunin's service.
I have been spoiled by your level of efficiency and service.
Thank you.
P.C. from USA
This item is usually shipped in 3 business days. We will inform you of the estimated shipping date if shipping is delayed due to a shortage.
This is a deep straw basket made entirely of straw. It can be used for storage or as an interior decoration. Video 1Video 2
Size: About 18xH10(Inside Ø13.5xH8)cm
Weight: About 330g
Material: Straw
Price: 10,000 JPY
Waramu
Warakago M
Size: About Ø22xH12(Inside Ø16xH10)cm
Weight: About 550g
Material: Straw
Price: 12,000 JPY
Waramu
Warakago L
Size: About Ø24xH13.5(Inside Ø18xH10)cm
Weight: About 670g
Material: Straw
Price: 14,000 JPY
Waramu
To fulfill its mission of "revitalizing the traditional Japanese straw craft culture and passing it on to the future as a highly valuable industry" and "contributing to the revitalization of agriculture and the community," Waramu actively engages in training aspiring straw craft artisans and supports local employment and agriculture.
